Helicopter Pilot Training & Job Placement
As more people continue to fly commercially, the need for trained pilots increases. Helicopter pilots, in particular, have a variety of career paths to choose from due to the wide use of helicopters in the health care, entertainment, tourism and law enforcement sectors. Helicopter training schools give students the specialized training and flight knowledge that is required to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines and start a successful career as a pilot.
Other People Are Reading
-
Objectives
-
In beginner training classes, helicopter pilots learn basic flight technique, helicopter maneuvers and procedures, and cross-country navigation. As students advance in their training, trainees practice flying through congested areas, taking off and landing in rural areas, mountain flat tops and helipads. According to Bristow Academy, a helicopter flight training school, students can obtain FAA certification as a commercial pilot after completing a minimum of 150 hours of flight time.
Skills
-
Pilots must be alert and able to quickly act under intense pressure. In addition, pilots should be detailed-oriented and have superior knowledge of flying instruments and helicopter equipment. A pilot should also have excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
-
Types
-
Helicopter training schools offer different programs according to the student's experience and ability level. There are programs that offer private pilot and commercial pilot licenses. Academies that specialize in helicopter training also provide certified flight instructor training, courses on reading pilot instruments and instruction on how to fly through and over mountainous terrain.
Military Training
-
Helicopter pilots also obtain their training and flight experience by joining the United States Armed Forces. In addition to learning helicopter flying techniques, combat skills and maneuvers, military helicopter pilots are also trained to prepare flight plans, operate cockpit control panels and interpret weather reports to gauge flying conditions. As a result, the U.S. Armed Forces remains a significant source for pilots with extensive flying time on helicopters and jet aircraft.
Financing
-
Because helicopter training is very expensive, few students are able to attend without receiving some form of financial aid. For example, tuition fees at Bristow Academy range from $3,000 to over $60,000 as of April 2010. Tuition costs can vary substantially due to students' ability level and the type of training program. To fund their education, students turn to financial resources such as federal government and private banking loans.
Potential
-
Following the completion of their program, helicopter pilots can work with their school to find job placement in industries such as law enforcement, aerial photography, emergency medical services, motion picture filming, search and rescue operations and firefighting. Some pilot schools will hire the top two to three students from each graduating class based on outstanding performance and above average flying skills. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for pilots are expected to grow by 12 percent as the economy and population expands.
-
References
- Photo Credit Helicopter image by Dusi from Fotolia.com
